"You've got some nerve!"
He'd tried to keep his composure and remember the warnings he'd been given when it came to this particular situation, but after an interview gone bad and another possible dead end, even Mike was beginning to lose the cheery attitude on that cold and windy day.
Next to him, Steve snorted in annoyance, leaning against the trunk of the Galaxie but staying respectfully quiet otherwise, as if to beckon him to handle the situation.
And handling it he would.
"Do you realize I could charge you with obstruction of justice for this? What's the matter with you? Don't you have any…any articles to write? An actual job to do?"
Cowering against the doorframe of her blue Nova, Claire Gifford smiled insecurely, like a peeping Tom caught in the act. And with the Galaxie circled in behind her, blocking any escape routes in the small parking lot, that's exactly what they had done.
"It's a natural evolution of my work to study my…suspects. I would never dream of being in your way."
The blasé answer served to only infuriate Mike even further and he took a couple steps toward her, raising a warning index finger.
"Now, I am going to tell you one thing right now. We're not your…suspects of study. We're not here for you to put us under the microscope and turn our work into some fantasy-driven novel to get rich off. My partner and I don't appreciate what you've been doing with your…your wild stories each week. And you're starting to cross the line here, Gifford. Once you do that, it's my job to enforce the law. So I'd suggest you take my warning seriously and bug out."
Clearly dissatisfied with the attitude she'd been given, Gifford crossed her arms over her chest, shaking slightly against the stiff breeze, then shrugged.
"What is it you've got against me? This town is cherishing the stories I write about you guys. Your hard work and sacrifices should not go unnoticed. You could be famous. And you should be."
"We're not interested in getting rich of some fictional adventures you dream up in that sick mind of yours.", Mike yelled this time around, trying to drown out the noise of traffic speeding by, "We're cops. We have a job to do. Lives to save and cases to close. You have done nothing but cause an unwelcome distraction. We don't want your stories and we certainly don't want you following us around town and get in the way of our work. Worst case, you could jeopardize an investigation, cause a killer to get away, or you could get hurt. Let us do our jobs and leave us alone. Get back to your story writing and find somebody else to follow around. If I see you tailing me or my partner again, I am going to throw the book at you, is that clear?"
Managing only a faint nod, Gifford watched on as Mike returned his attention to Steve, cocking his head toward the car.
With an understanding nod, the young Inspector circled the Galaxie and waited for him by the driver's side, never taking his eyes off the reporter.
Mike had barely reached the passenger door, two fingers wrapped around the handle when he heard Gifford clear her throat in what sounded like a painful sob.
"But…I am your biggest fan!"